Pregnancy can throw many symptoms at you during the day whether it is nausea, itchy skin or swollen ankles but when night time comes Mother Nature doesn’t stop there as she presents you with the gift of insomnia! It just seems cruel because we all know that caring for a newborn baby can mean endless nights with broken sleep so you would think pregnancy would be all about conserving energy and “banking” loads of sleep in preparation but no – unfortunately it doesn’t work like that! So whilst you’re laid in bed in the early hours Googling “Why can’t I get to sleep?” – Let’s take a look at what causes insomnia in pregnancy and how you can overcome sleepless nights.

What is insomnia?

Insomnia can be explained as inadequate or poor-quality sleep and can be as a result of one or more of the following:

Difficulty falling to sleep at bedtime

Waking up frequently during the night

Difficulty returning to sleep during the night

Unrefreshing sleep

What causes insomnia during pregnancy?

Insomnia in pregnancy is very common, as you progress through your pregnancy different factors can play a part in your sleeping issues. Examples of these are:

Hormonal changes

Frequent trips to the toilet during the night

Anxiety

Anticipating the arrival of baby

Frequent and vivid dreams

Back pain

Heartburn

Discomfort due to the increased size of your bump

At what point in pregnancy will I get insomnia?

Insomnia can strike at any point in pregnancy; however, it is more common in the first trimester due to your hormones and growing uterus pressing against your bladder which causes the frequent nighttime trips to the bathroom. You may well get some respite in your second trimester as your uterus grows out of your pelvis and your hormones settle. Unfortunately, your third trimester can see the return of insomnia as you find it harder to get comfortable due to your growing bump and you might subconsciously be worrying about baby’s impending arrival.

How can I manage my insomnia?

The important thing to realise is that insomnia won’t affect your baby, but the more you worry about it the more it will play a part in your bedtime antics. So here are some ideas to help reduce the anxiety and aid a restful night’s sleep:

Prepare yourself for bedtime

Have a relaxing evening leading up to bedtime, avoid your phone, computer or TV – opting instead for a warm bath, massage or reading a book. Avoid caffeine from lunchtime onwards because even a latte mid-afternoon can affect your sleeping and don’t forget chocolate also contains caffeine! Also be mindful of what you are drinking in an evening because decaffeinated tea and coffee can still act as a diuretic and get you dashing for a wee in the middle of the night!

Prepare your bedroom for sleep

Keep your bedroom cool, dark and quiet, avoid having mobile phones or similar technology in the room and consider playing some soft relaxing music or natural sounds to help you relax (doesn’t have to be whale music – there are lots of other options!). You can also use smells to relax your mind, aromatherapy is great for this but you need to be careful with which oils are safe to use in pregnancy. We’ve simplified things for you by developing “Sleepy Mama” Pillow mist which is perfect to spritz around your bedroom and over your pillow and bedding to allow you to chill out and switch off that busy mind.

Get comfortable

Wear loose fitting breathable clothing in bed or just your underwear or naked if you prefer – you don’t want clothing that is restrictive or that will make you sweaty! Try our different pillow combinations to support your bump as you lay on your side, some women find a pillow between their legs also helps.

And relax!

Once you are in a comfortable position you need to relax your mind and clear out all of the day’s thoughts otherwise you’ll be mulling over things which will prevent you from relaxing. There are several techniques that can be used such as mindfulness, visualisation, meditation, breathing patterns or simply just taking yourself off in your mind to a favourite place and exploring what you can see, hear, smell and feel in that place – it gives you something relaxing to focus on as you drift off to sleep rather than ending up worrying about what’s happened that day. If you are interested in HypnoBirthing then those techniques can also be used to relax at bedtime too.

Keep everything low key

If you wake up in the night for a wee keep the lights dim and don’t be tempted to check your phone – bright lights and interacting with your phone with start to activate your brain and wake you up good and proper! Tell your partner not to talk to you either if they hear you up and about because again this will spark conversation which will trigger your brain to be more wakeful.

Be prepared to abandon the bedroom

If you’ve tried all of the above and you are still lay there wide awake there is no point in tossing and turning in bed and watching the clock – you will only become more anxious about the whole situation which won’t help matters. Instead get up and find a quiet corner to relax with a blanket and book, remembering to keep everything low key and quiet, maybe grab a small snack or warm milky drink. Be mindful of if you start to feel tired and then return to bed and try again.

If all else fails

If you are able to consider grabbing a daytime nap to catch up on broken sleep, not too long though otherwise, it will impact on the next night’s sleep!

Try not to worry about insomnia in pregnancy it is a common issue and will not affect your baby. At least this way you will be used to being awake at night and surviving on minimal sleep so maybe Mother Nature is clever after all!!

During your pregnancy factors may come into play that results in you requiring different advice – in these circumstances, you should seek direct advice from you own Midwife/Doctor according to your situation.

If you are unsure about anything or have any concerns whilst pregnant please speak to your Midwife.

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https://www.naturalbirthingcompany.com/blogs/news/how-can-you-reduce-the-risks-of-sudden-infant-death-syndrome-sids2019-03-11T00:00:00+00:002019-03-11T00:00:00+00:00How can you reduce the risks of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)?Natural Birthing Co

This week is “Safer Sleeping Week” so I wanted to share some information on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) or you may be more familiar with the term “Cot Death”.

On average every month in the UK 22 babies die as a result of SIDS and the reason we don’t refer to this condition as Cot Death anymore is because approximately 1/6 of those babies will have been found sleeping with an adult on a sofa rather than in a cot.

Firstly the scientists still don’t know what causes SIDS, but what they have done is look at the cases of the babies who have died and reviewed the circumstances around each one. From this they have found some common factors and therefore have drawn the conclusion that if we can avoid these factors we will reduce the risks of it happening and so the advice that you are given from Health Professionals is based on these findings and the numbers of SIDS cases have reduced dramatically since this advice was introduced.

I want to focus on a couple of areas of advice in my blog:

Overheating

Young babies can’t regulate their temperature as well as adults because they can’t remove their own clothes or covers or change position if they feel too hot and there is evidence to suggest that overheating may have a link to SIDS. A lot of the safe sleeping advice with regards to how you place your baby in their cot is coming from the angle of reducing the risk of your baby overheating.

Here are some points to think about:

Babies give a lot of heat off from their head – this is why their heads should be uncovered when asleep – no hats, no cuddly toys around their heads, no cot bumpers, no swaddle fabric around the head, no bedding that can move up over the baby’s head. Anything covering the baby’s head or placed against it will act as insulation and trap the baby’s own body heat – causing the baby to get too hot. This is also the reason not to use soft sleeping surfaces such as laying your baby on a pillow/beanbag/or baby nest type product. Imagine if you slept on one of these – wouldn’t you feel warm?

Babies also give off a lot of heat from their chests – this is where you’re advised to feel them to judge their temperature (hands & feet always feel cooler). Now think back to when you felt cold in bed – what position did you adopt to try to warm up? You would have turned onto your side and curled up in the fetal position and it would have worked – because you’d be trapping your own body heat in this position. So doesn’t this make sense as to why it would reduce the risk of SIDS to place your baby on their back in the cot rather than on their sides or even worse their front?

The recommended room temperature for a baby in the UK is between 16-20 degrees C and for a lot of homes this can feel cooler than what you may be used to; so a room thermometer is a vital piece of equipment for new parents. It’s important that even if it’s freezing cold outside you should still dress your baby & apply bedding according the temperature of the room that the baby is sleeping in. Keep an eye on your heating overnight to make sure the room isn’t getting too hot and remember that if you fold a blanket in half to help it fit the cot it will count as two layers of blankets.

Dummies /Pacifiers/Soothers

This subject of using of a dummy particularly with a breastfeeding baby can be a “hot potato”! There are various opinions on this subject and people can feel very strongly one way or another. I’m not going to tell you what to do but instead just give you the facts and some food for thought so you can make up your own mind.

As a result of research scientists believe that using a dummy consistently as part of your baby’s general sleep routine is associated with a lower risk of SIDS, they’re not really sure why it helps to reduce the risk but there’s enough evidence for them to draw this conclusion.

One opinion is that a dummy will cause nipple/teat confusion for a breastfeeding baby yet interestingly where this relationship was studied they found that the dummy use was more likely to be as a consequence of breastfeeding difficulties rather than a cause of them. Whilst other research agrees that confusion is not the case if the dummy is introduced after the first week of life.

Another opinion is that dummies effect the formation/positioning of the teeth however the advice is to gently withdraw the dummy between the ages of 6-12 months to avoid any potential adverse effects such as ear infections or dental issues because these type of issues have not been described below 1 year of age. However thumb sucking can affect not only the teeth/jaw but also the thumb growth itself. Food for thought - which would it be more difficult – trying to stop a baby sucking their thumb or gentle removing a dummy?

However some babies just do not want to entertain a dummy! I have seen plenty of new mums trying to give their baby a dummy and the baby doesn’t know what to do with it or spits it out! The advice in relation to SIDS is not to force a dummy on your baby and not to try to replace the dummy if it falls out when they are asleep.

It’s also important to mention that there should be no attachments on the dummy and it should not be dipped in anything to coat it.

The Lullaby Trust raises awareness of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), provides expert advice on safer sleep for babies and offers emotional support for bereaved families; to visit their amazing website click here.

For more blogs on pregnancy, birth and life as a new mum please visit www.naturalbirthingcompany.com/blogs/news

If you are unsure about anything or have any concerns whilst pregnant please speak to your Midwife.

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https://www.naturalbirthingcompany.com/blogs/news/vegan-treats-you-need-to-know-about2019-03-04T00:00:00+00:002019-03-04T00:00:00+00:00Vegan treats you need to know about!Natural Birthing CoWe know when you're pregnant those pesky cravings can have us wanting anything and everything and usually the naughtier the better. If you are embracing the Vegan life keep reading for the best vegan treats out there!

McDonald Vegan Wrap!I don't know about you but as soon I crave something naughty the thought of those golden arches comes to mind, So this is great news... McDonald’s UK has just introduced the first ever vegan-friendly Happy Meal, along with a new Spicy Veggie Wrap on the main menu thanks to growing demand from customers for meat-free options.

Pizza Hut Vegan Jackfruit Pizza!Pizza Hut is introducing a vegan pizza to its menu this January in 253 Pizza Hut Restaurants across the UK. Because who doesn't love pizza!

Greggs Vegan Sausage RollHigh-street bakery chain Greggs is famous for its much-loved sausage rolls, and now the chain is launching a vegan version for the first time ever. Definitely, the best lunchtime treat I have heard of!

Marks & Spencer launches a vegan rangeIf you want to stay in, treat yourself to an M&S meal they are is launching Plant Kitchen, a brand-new collection of over 60 meals, snacks and ingredients – all plant-based and totally delicious.

Enjoy!

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https://www.naturalbirthingcompany.com/blogs/news/are-you-wondering-what-pregnancy-app-to-download2019-02-25T00:00:00+00:002019-02-25T00:00:00+00:00Are you wondering what pregnancy app to download?Natural Birthing Co
Is this your first pregnancy? Are you wondering how the hell some other mums-to-be in your situation know their baby is currently the size of an avocado if you to also want to be as clued up there is an app for it!

These easy to download apps will help you monitor your baby’s growth and the changes in your own body. A lot happens to your body during these 9 months, so an app can be a great way to prepare yourself for what to expect.

But be careful you can’t just trust any baby tracking app. Here are the best baby tracking apps on the marketing, so you can be a know it all when it comes to your baby!

Track your baby’s growth with the top pregnancy app for moms-to-be!

What to Expect – Pregnancy & Baby Tracker:

Track your baby’s growth with the top pregnancy app for moms-to-be!

Chosen by over 15 million moms, this pregnancy tracker app from the world's most trusted pregnancy brand, "What to Expect When You're Expecting," guides you through pregnancy day-by-day and week-by-week. Simply enter your baby’s due date (or use our pregnancy due date calculator if you’re not sure) and start tracking your baby’s growth today.

WebMD - Pregnancy Tracker and Health Guide:

Their free pregnancy app offers trusted health information for expecting parents and lets you track your baby’s growth and development week by week. Get access to more than 900 doctor-approved articles, videos, slideshows and quizzes, safety tips, and expert-curated checklists. Find support and maternity advice in their caring Pregnancy Community. Track your baby's and your health with their symptom tracker, weight and blood pressure tracker, kick counter, and contraction timer. Fun features such as the journal and the belly photo album will help you prepare for your pregnancy and fully embrace the experience.

Hello Belly — the cutest pregnancy guide ever:

They decided to say NO to any advertisement in the app because they care about your privacy, you can try 3-days trial for free and continue with the subscription on a monthly basis.

The cutest and funniest guide for future moms and dads. Get professional tips every week of your pregnancy: about your health, how’s your baby developing, how to get over all the pregnancy difficulties. No heavy medical information — only useful practical tips in cozy form. No doubt, each tip will make you smile!

Glow Nurture - Pregnancy App:

Named one of 10 Best iPhone Apps and featured by InStyle, The Guardian, Brit & Co, and many more!

Glow Nurture is the world’s most advanced and comprehensive pregnancy tracker. Powered by data, designed for simplicity, this app rewrites the rules for what a pregnancy app should be. It is completely customizable so that we nurture YOUR pregnancy and your baby.

Sprout Pregnancy - Track Your Baby's Growth in 3D

Congratulations on your pregnancy and welcome to Sprout! It’s an Apple ‘Essential App for Parents’ and is one of Time Magazine’s Top 50 Apps of the Year.

Trusted and recommended by expecting families all over the world, Sprout Pregnancy guides you through every day of your pregnancy. It helps keep you organized and educated about the many exciting changes and developments happening in your body and for your growing baby.

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https://www.naturalbirthingcompany.com/blogs/news/the-paradox-of-building-a-career-whilst-trying-to-be-a-present-mother-by-lauren-vaknine2019-02-18T00:00:00+00:002019-02-18T00:00:00+00:00The Paradox Of Building A Career Whilst Trying To Be A Present Mother - by Lauren VaknineNatural Birthing CoI need to accept that it's actually okay to want something for myself, that it doesn't mean I love him any less. And that my novel might take a little (a lot) longer to finish, but these early years pass so quickly and I need to be present and make the most of them before they are just a distant memory that I wish I could get back.

Or should it be 'Being A Present Mother Whilst Trying To Build A Career'? I'm not sure. I know which one has to come first, of course, but it doesn't make putting your dreams on hold while you raise a family any easier.

It's 2.05pm and for me, being a present mother means that for the first half hour of Braxton's nap, I get into bed and shut my eyes. He wakes at 5 am every morning (this morning it was 4.50. Thanks, dude), and usually once or twice in the night, too. So come nap-time, I'm beat.

In my mind, I'm shouting at myself, 'Get into your office and just sit down and write, woman! Be a trooper!' but most days, I just can't. Because after getting up at 5am, doing all the washing, preparing breakfast and pre-preparing dinner then clearing up the kitchen, all before I actually have to give him lunch, and having done some sort of activity in the morning to keep him 'stimulated', I'm just knackered and genuinely look forward to that moment when he goes down for his nap and I can shut my curtains and just lie there in silence with my eyes closed, even if I don't fall asleep. After the half hour, I try and get up to work for the time I have left.

But as I lie there, I berate myself for not being stronger, for not being able to deal with the tiredness better and just soldier on like the mums who actually have to go out the house to a 'real job' do (absolute troopers). I'm so obsessed with getting my writing career to where I want it to be, that I spend a large portion of each day stressing myself, pressuring myself to 'get it done'. And no one else is pressuring me. My husband gets up at 5 am too, and he goes to work for the whole day and never complains, like, literally never. And still, he encourages me to sleep when Brax does and take the pressure off myself. Then he comes home and 'gets' how hard my day has been, even though he has been equally hard.

You see, there's a real paradox when you are a mother. You know full well that raising an entire human being (or more)isWORK. It's satisfying and exhausting and empowering and draining and rewarding all at once, and even if you're covered in sick and counting down the hours until bedtime, they do something that no one else would find funny or cute but you're there, all stinking of vomit and totally unattractive, just laughing at them and kissing them all over because they're the most amazing thing you've ever seen in your life. You have brought life into this world and are moulding that little life into a human being, hopefully, one who will do good in this crazy, twisted world of ours and be happy and healthy. That's some achievement.

But even though you know that you are craving something for yourself, something that is just yours, something other than your child that makes you look forward to getting up in the morning, that makes you excited for Monday to come around. And that's where the difficulty lies. Because in order to do this, you need to be dedicated to seeing it through, to putting the hours in.

Being a present mother means being there at breakfast time instead of having someone watch him while I go to the gym (which I'd love to do, by the way); it means taking him out somewhere or doing some sort of activity with him every day, for his development; it means making fresh, nutritious food to help his immune system even though I'd love to just whack a couple of fish fingers in the oven and be done with it; it means chasing him round the kitchen island for twenty minutes even though I was bored after two, because it makes him so very happy, and that giggle is one I wish I could bottle up and keep forever; it means sitting and reading books to him when I wish I was reading a gripping novel of my own choosing; it means being there for bedtime, even though, once again, I'd like to be at the gym; and it means sleeping when he sleeps even though I'd love nothing more than to do what it is that makes ME happy, because I know that if I don't, I won't be able to be the present mother I'm trying so hard to be.

Although I've been battling with this since Brax was born, I'm trying my hardest to accept and embrace ournow. We fought to have him. It's a miracle that he is even here so how dare I try to find moments to spend away from him when I wanted him so badly. But Iamallowed to feel that sometimes, and I need to be kinder to myself.

I need to accept that it's actually okay to want something for myself, that it doesn't mean I love him any less. And that my novel might take a little (a lot) longer to finish, but these early years pass so quickly and I need to be present and make the most of them before they are just a distant memory that I wish I could get back.

The paradox is always there, but perhaps taking the pressure off both of my life's most important challenges, is the only way forward for now.

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https://www.naturalbirthingcompany.com/blogs/news/valentine-s-day-pregnancy-announcements2019-02-11T00:00:00+00:002019-02-11T00:00:00+00:00Valentine’s Day Pregnancy AnnouncementsNatural Birthing Co
Valentine’s Day is all about spreading the love, so, what an amazing time to announce that pregnancy you have been hiding for the last few months! Here are our favourites for you to take some inspiration from...

Acupressure: There's some evidence that putting pressure on your wrist, using a special band or bracelet on your forearm, may help relieve the symptoms

If these don't work for you or you're having more severe symptoms, your doctor or midwife might recommend medication.

Pregnancy hormones can sometimes leave you feeling a bit queasy and delicate; the slightest things can set you off dashing to the bathroom! Best Washes uses the refreshing delicate aroma of Spearmint to soothe and calm icky tummies, together with Black Pepper to tackle the tired fuzzy mind, whilst Aloe Vera and natural foaming agents are soothing for sensitive skin.

Key Facts:

Best washes can be used by anyone experiencing:

Nausea/vomiting

Sensitive skin

Dry itchy, irritated skin

Hormonal skin, breakouts, rashes

Delicate nose

Directions:

In the shower, lather up and massage across the damp skin. Alternatively, in your bath pour liberally under running warm water and enjoy your soak.

During your pregnancy factors may come into play that results in you requiring different advice – in these circumstances, you should seek direct advice from your own Midwife/Doctor according to your situation.

If you are unsure about anything or have any concerns whilst pregnant please speak to your Midwife.

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https://www.naturalbirthingcompany.com/blogs/news/healthy-eating-for-you-and-bump2019-01-28T00:00:00+00:002019-01-28T00:00:00+00:00Healthy Eating for you and bumpNatural Birthing Co

Everywhere you look there are diet plans, low fat this and low sugar that and although pregnancy is not the time to be trying to lose weight, it’s certainly the time to be eating healthily. Everything you eat and drink will pass through to your growing baby and affect their health.

Ever heard the phrase that “you should be eating for two”?

It’s complete rubbish!!!

Did you know that no extra energy is needed in the first 6 months of pregnancy and then only an additional 200 calories a day are required in the third trimester? That’s equivalent to 2 pieces of wholegrain toast with olive oil spread or a small handful of nuts/seeds/dried fruit - that’s it!!

How much weight am I supposed to gain in pregnancy?

There are no National guidelines telling us what an expected weight gain in pregnancy is. Most women will gain between 22lbs and 28lbs, but it will depend on what weight you were pre-pregnancy and what level of activity you do. Remember that any weight gain is a culmination of your baby, placenta, amniotic fluid, your extra fluid and blood volumes as well as some extra fat laid down to support your body for breastfeeding; so don’t compare yourself to others.

Top ten ways to eat healthily in pregnancy

1. Stay hydrated – you need approx. 1.6l of fluids spread throughout the day – water/fruit teas are best, try to avoid sugary drinks or those with artificial sweeteners and limit fresh fruit juice to 1 glass a day.

2. Be mindful of your caffeine intake – the recommended daily limit is 200mg and it’s not just a coffee thing (100-140mg per mug) – you’ll find 75mg in a mug of tea, 40mg in a can of cola, 50mg in a bar of plain chocolate and 80mg in a can of energy drink. Try this caffeine calculator.

3. Don’t miss breakfast – the most important meal of the day gives you some much needed energy after a night-time of fasting, kick starting your metabolism and boosting your blood sugar. Even if you are feeling queasy try to eat something light – it can really help.

4. Try to avoid or reduce sugary foods like cakes and biscuits – these give you blood sugar spikes which then lead to a crash afterwards. And although they’re super tasty there’s really not much nutritional value to most of them!

5. Try to eat at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day (including more vegetables than fruit is better due to the natural sugars present in fruit). Packed full of fibre and a variety of vitamins and minerals, it doesn’t matter whether you use fresh, frozen, tinned (no sugar added) or dried – they all count. Aim to eat a rainbow as fruit and vegetables of different colours provide you with different nutrients.

10. Smaller more frequent meals may be the way ahead – as your bump grows and squashes your stomach you may find it hard to enjoy full-sized meals. Also if you are experiencing nausea or heartburn smaller less fatty meals with help. Some ideas are oatcakes or pitta bread with hummus and vegetable sticks, wholegrain toast with peanut butter, small jacket potato with beans, pieces of fruit, yoghurt with berries, nuts or dried fruit.

Thanks for reading

Jane – The Midwife

For more blogs on pregnancy, birth and life as a new mum please visit www.naturalbirthingcompany.com/blogs/news

During your pregnancy factors may come into play that result in you requiring different dietary advice – in these circumstances you should seek direct advice from you own Midwife/Doctor according to your situation.

If you are unsure about anything or have any concerns whilst pregnant please speak to your Midwife.

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https://www.naturalbirthingcompany.com/blogs/news/how-hypnobirthing-can-help-mums-to-be-shona-baxter2019-01-21T00:00:00+00:002019-01-22T16:51:33+00:00How Hypnobirthing can help mums to be - Shona BaxterNatural Birthing CoThe term hypnobirthing may be the birthing buzz word of the moment but the basic principles of this crazy sounding birth preparation have actually been around for years. Whilst the name may bring images of peace signs and chanting the reality is that it is a very logical, science-based and practical way of preparing for labour.

To understand how hypnobirthing can help you achieve a more calm and positive birth experience it is important to understand why we even need it in the first place.

A few generations ago pregnant women generally went into labour and birthed their babies without too much fuss. As time has gone on we have become a little bit obsessed with dramatizing birth. How many of us have been gripped to the TV watching a birth documentary hoping for a safe outcome, crying with relief when the baby arrives? Or listened intently as a friend told us about a horrific sounding 39-hour labour?!

What these stories have done to us over time is make us fear birth. We have watched and heard so many negative birth stories that we now actually doubt our ability to give birth (even if it is just on a subconscious level) regardless of the fact that it is what our bodies are designed to do.

Now think about what our bodies and brains do when we fear something. We are provided with a physical and chemical response to the situation known as fight or flight. A very clever response to help get us out of a situation we don’t want to be in. The adrenaline pumping around our body will give us superhuman strength, the blood will be sent to our arms and legs so we can fight the fear or run away from it, our breathing pace changes and the oxygen is directed to the muscles that need it the most, we shake, get sweaty and tense up.

If a pregnant women goes into labour and begins to panic at the sensations she is feeling, the fight or flight response will kick in, having a monumental impact on the birth experience. The adrenaline will block all GOOD birth hormones that we need to help us labour more comfortably (endorphins are known as nature’s own pain relief and are stronger than morphine) and the blood and oxygen are directed away from our uterus, which is the muscle that needs them the most. Without blood and oxygen, the uterus cannot work efficiently and therefore will alert our brain to the fact that something is wrong. And how do we ever know something is wrong with our bodies…Pain.

These pain signals reinforce the reason why the woman began to panic in the first place and thus the cycle continues.

So how does Hypnobirthing help?

Hypnobirthing courses are designed to help build a women’s confidence about birth. Using simple and powerful techniques to reduce fears and concerns replacing them with trust and empowerment.

All practitioners will have a different style and different course content but the basic underlying principle will always be to change how we feel about birth. For some women that can just be worried about feeling out of control, for others it can be the trauma of a previous birth meaning they doubt their abilities.

If you were to book on to a course you can expect to learn

how to harness those good birth hormones to make us feel more comfortable during labour

creating the best birth environment

how to keep that fight or flight response at bay

how to feel more relaxed during labour

breathing techniques to keep you and your baby calm

plus much much more!

Many courses are up to 10-12 hours long and practitioners will offer lots of additional support and encouragement to ensure everyone feels positive about birth.

The tools and techniques taught can be used no matter what twists and turns labour may take. They can be used for any type of birth too, Caesarean, Induction, first baby, fifth baby!

Birth partners also really benefit from doing the course, learning how they can be the best support for the birthing women and not feel like a spare part.

If you are considering Hypnobirthing I encourage you to do some research, find and chat with your local practitioner and speak with other women you know who have done a course. Really work out what you would like to achieve and remember, this is the first time you are going to meet your baby, you both deserve for it to be a positive and amazing experience.

My top tip for mums to be would be to create a relaxation routine during pregnancy. Take 20 mins out before bed to listen to some nice music, practice some deep breathing and spray the sleepy mama pillow mist. Then when you do go into labour you can take your music and pillow must with you and instantly transport your mind back to a space of calm.

Wishing you all the very best in your pregnancy and birth!

Shona is the founder of Empowered Hypnobirthing and delivers courses in the North East of England.

Website - www.empoweredhypnobirthing.co.uk

Facebook - Empowered Hypnobirthing for Warrior Mamas

Instagram - @empoweredhypnobirthing

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https://www.naturalbirthingcompany.com/blogs/news/why-do-so-many-pregnant-women-give-up-exercise-by-fittamamma2019-01-18T00:00:00+00:002019-01-18T09:34:37+00:00Why do so many pregnant women give up exercise? by FittamammaNatural Birthing Co

Why do so many pregnant women give up exercise?

Medical experts (including the NHS, NICE and RCOG) agree that all healthy pregnant women should aim for at least 30 minutes exercise every day for the sake of their health and the health of their baby. There are so many good reasons to stay active! Women who exercise during pregnancy are less prone to backache, varicose veins and tiredness; they tend to sleep better and suffer less from anxiety; they are better prepared for labour (which is probably the most physically demanding process any women will undertake) and are less likely to have a C-section. They are also more likely to maintain a healthy weight gain and recover more quickly after the birth.

But despite the evidence in favour of exercise, many active women give up their usual fitness regime, opting instead to ‘take it easy’. And women who were inactive before becoming pregnant do not recognise pregnancy as a motivator for a more active lifestyle.

Leading maternity fitnesswear brand FittaMamma commissioned a research project to find out why!

‘We’re passionate about encouraging women to enjoy the benefits of exercise during pregnancy,’ said Alexandra McCabe, co-founder of FittaMamma. Our belief in the importance of staying active was a key motivator in developing our supportive maternity fitnesswear. We really wanted to understand why women give up exercise, despite all the evidence that suggests that staying fit is so beneficial.

We supported a year’s PhD research programme into exercise in pregnancy at the University of Portsmouth to explore the motivators and barriers to exercise. We also wanted to find out just how wearing appropriate fitnesswear could make a real difference to pregnant women.’

The women taking part in the research were all either pregnant or less than a year postpartum. Their answers revealed some startling results around how real women exercise during pregnancy and just how many of them hung up their trainers and put their feet up.

58% of the women went to the gym pre-pregnancy but 31% of them GAVE UP when they were pregnant

55% of the participants were regular runners pre-pregnancy but a significant 35% of these women STOPPED running during pregnancy

35% of women attended exercise classes such as spin, or body pump but this DROPPED to only 22% during pregnancy

The biggest reason for giving up exercise, cited by just over half of the respondents, was ‘lack of energy’. But many of the women involved agreed that appropriate fitnesswear is a key issue. They simply didn’t feel comfortable exercising in clothes that didn’t fit, didn’t provide support and didn’t meet their needs as their body changed.

63% of respondents (including those who carried on exercising) said their bump felt unsupported

37% of women gave up exercise because their bump got in the way

31% were put off exercise because of ill-fitting fitnesswear and 47% stated that their fitnesswear didn’t meet their needs as their body changed.

‘It was really interesting for us to see just how much clothes influenced the decision to exercise,’ continued Alexandra. ‘Women who would expect to support their boobs with a well-fitting bra are super-conscious of the need to support your body when you workout - and there are certain expectations around style as well as comfort.’

Holding the bump securely and avoiding discomfort during exercise removes one of the biggest barriers to staying active during pregnancy. Ensuring the baby bump is supported for exercise is every bit as important as wearing a bra to support your breasts.

FittaMamma designed their product to truly meet the needs of pregnant women

A key aspect of the research at the University was a fully independent and scientific analysis of the bio-mechanical benefits of FittaMamma’s unique range of supportive maternity fitnesswear compared to ’standard’ maternity leggings and vests.

The FittaMamma Ultimate range underwent detailed analysis under test conditions at the Department of Sport and Exercise Science, using the equipment set up to test and research sports bras. The aim was to establish the difference between FittaMamma’s technically designed maternity fitnesswear and ‘standard’ maternity leggings and vests.

The tests and analysis of the FittaMamma fitnesswear revealed a massive 48% REDUCTION in bump movement compared to ‘standard’ fitnesswear.

‘We’re delighted’, said FittaMamma co-founder Alexandra McCabe. ‘We designed the FittaMamma range to truly meet the needs of pregnant women as their body changes throughout pregnancy. Feedback from our customers has always been really positive but it’s great to have scientific proof that our clothes really do make a difference!’

We wanted to create a range that is both functional and stylish, providing support where it’s needed and giving women the confidence to exercise.

Don’t miss out on the health benefits of staying active whilst you’re pregnant! Use CODE NBC10 and save 10% on your first order of FittaMamma Maternity Activewear.

With almost 20% of respondents stating that conflicting advice is a further barrier to exercise it’s important that FittaMamma remains a trusted and comprehensive source of information about health and well-being in pregnancy and postpartum. We provide supportive advice in conjunction with many qualified experts as well as offering the world’s ONLY tested supportive maternity fitnesswear.

*Survey size 100 pregnant and postpartum women

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https://www.naturalbirthingcompany.com/blogs/news/do-s-don-t-for-your-maternity-wardrobe-autumn-winter2019-01-14T00:00:00+00:002019-01-14T00:00:00+00:00Do’s & Don’t for your Maternity wardrobe (Autumn/Winter)Natural Birthing Co
The colder months can be an extra-challenging time to dress a quickly transforming pregnant body. Your hot flushes might be in full swing leaving you to want to dress like it's Summer, to then leave you freezing the next moment. This guide will help narrow down what you really need in your fall pregnancy wardrobe, so you can shrink your shopping list...

Invest in a good pair of maternity jeans: Comfortable, form-fitting, grow-with-you maternity jeans are an absolute must for your Autumn. You can dress them up or down.One important tip: Don't buy maternity jeans too soon, or they'll be too small during your eighth and ninth months.

Get a few long cosy jumpers: You might be able to fit your favourite sweaters over your ever-growing belly… but don't. Unlike your tummy, sweaters get permanently stretched out, leaving them saggy and sad when you put them on a year from now.

Shop for a maternity coat: It may be expensive, but when you've got a fall pregnancy, a good coat is well worth the investment. Not only will it keep you warm as temps fall through November and beyond, but a tailored, empire-waist coat can make you look pulled together

Check your wardrobe for an empire-waist dress: If you own any flowy dresses with an empire waist, bank on wearing them until nearly the end of your pregnancy.

Skip buying a button-down blouses: Don't waste your dollars on maternity blouses with buttons down the whole front — chances are your bra size will change rapidly, resulting in a too-tight fit across the back or gaps between the buttons. Instead, stock up on empire-waist tops with flattering details like V and scoop necklines, or tie belts that nip in on top of your bump to create a shapely silhouette.

Eating healthily during pregnancy is important for your own health and the health of your developing baby.

It's important to eat a varied and balanced diet during pregnancy to provide enough nutrients for you and the development and growth of your baby.

Vegan mums-to-be need to make sure they get enough iron and vitamin B12, which are mainly found in meat and fish, and vitamin D. Below we will touch on the things you must include in your diet to look after both you and baby!

During your pregnancy factors may come into play that results in you requiring different advice – in these circumstances, you should seek direct advice from your own Midwife/Doctor according to your situation.

If you are unsure about anything or have any concerns whilst pregnant please speak to your Midwife.

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https://www.naturalbirthingcompany.com/blogs/news/national-baby-making-season-is-upon-us2018-12-31T00:00:00+00:002018-12-31T00:00:00+00:00National Baby Making Season is upon us!Natural Birthing Co

As Midwives we know that September is always a crazily busy time of year for us and anyone taking annual leave during that time is viewed with envy. Our already stretched services struggle even more to cope with the sheer volume of women giving birth between mid-September and the first week of October.

This all stems from lots of baby making activity over the festive period starting around 23rd December through until early January. Whether it be a pre-planned romantic candle lit liaison or a bit of drunken hanky panky after a Christmas party, more babies are conceived over Christmas & New Year than at any other time.

In the past we’ve been led to believe there’s one magical “National Conception Day” on the 2nd January in order to make September 26th the busiest day for giving birth, but Midwifery knowledge poo poos this notion!

For a start babies are not necessarily conceived on the day that you have sex, as sperm can live for up to 7 days in the fallopian tubes whilst waiting for the egg to arrive. So if you ovulate up to a week after your last “session”, the sperm could well be lying in wait ready to pounce on your egg!

And when it comes to giving birth, babies are not like cakes going into an oven with a timer set for 40 weeks & then “ping!” & they are done and we go into labour!! (If only that were the case!!)

In reality only 4-5% of babies are actually born on their due date, with 2/3 actually being born within 10 days of the date.

So what makes us more inclined to make babies at this time of year? It could be we’re more relaxed, have more time together, feel closer to our partner due to the festive spirit or it could also be the abundance of alcohol or for the shrewd planners out there – the desire for your child to be the oldest in their school year!!

So if you’re planning to partake in this years “Baby Making Season” here’s some tips:

Figure out when you ovulate – you are only fertile up to 5 days before ovulation and the day you ovulate.

Avoid using any form of vaginal lubrication if possible as it can slow down the sperms journey.

Let gravity help – avoid having sex standing up and don’t leap out of bed straight afterwards! Instead opt for laying with your pelvis tilted upwards for 20mins just to help the sperm on their way.

Stay relaxed – research shows being stressed can reduce the chance of getting pregnant.

So just remember if you’re planning an extra special “Christmas gift”, then you could well be in for a hectic time in September when your little one arrives -don’t say we didn’t warn you!

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https://www.naturalbirthingcompany.com/blogs/news/how-is-labour-second-time-around-by-sarah-jolil2018-12-03T00:00:00+00:002018-12-03T00:00:00+00:00How is labour second time around? - by Sarah JolilNatural Birthing Co

It didn’t take long to get pregnant the second time around unlike our first, so when I got that digital confirmation telling me I was 3 weeks pregnant I will be honest…I shit myself! I didn’t mentally prepare myself quick enough that unfortunately, this would mean giving birth again!

My reason for being scared is that even though my labour with my now 3-year-old daughter was as good as a straightforward labour could have been, my problem was getting rid of the placenta which turned into needing a manual removal, this is where your placenta isn’t playing ball and doesn’t want to come out on its own so I ended up in theatre. I had lost a lot of blood and experienced a lot of pain and this was an experience I never wanted to repeat again.

So this led me to an elective C section, I didn’t want to go through the manual removal again and I was informed that I was a high risk of having another placenta that wouldn’t budge so I booked my C section as soon as I could.

But my little boy had other plans…3 weeks before my due date he decided to make an early appearance. I woke up at 3 am having had a show and broken waters. Once in the hospital, my contractions had gone from being 2cm and sort of bearable to 8cm and unbearable in around an hour! I forgot how painful contractions could be and they felt so different this time around as I didn’t get in the birthing pool like I did last time as I was consultant led due to opting for a C section, although there wasn’t time for a C section he was coming whether I liked it or not!

So once midwife told me he was coming and I wouldn’t be getting the C-section I had wanted 20 minutes and lots of gas and air later he arrived. The whole birth was such a whirlwind and happened so quickly that I had no time to digest what was happening, almost like being a spectator in my own body. My body knew what it was doing, but my head was just like “what the fuuuuuccccckkkkk”

Turns out having a vaginal delivery was the best thing for me as my placenta came out this time with no issues and my recovery has been amazing and so much better than with my daughter. It’s been 2 weeks now and I honestly feel like I’m almost back to my normal self, which is fab! Thank god too as it’s manic now having a toddler and a newborn to care for, there’s just not enough hours in the day for everything.

Thinking back to the day that Jack was born has really made me realize just how amazing our bodies are that not only do we grow little human beings inside us, but we can also feed them with our bodies and go through all this pain and carry on through life saying we would do it all over again because that feeling of having your baby put on your chest is just too amazing to put into words and dissolves all the pain you have gone through. I feel like the second time around has given me a new found respect for myself that I didn’t appreciate the first time around. I am also appreciating the early days of having a newborn so Jack and I are having lots of cuddles and I am trying to learn to just chill and that the housework can

wait a day or two as these moments are precious and something you won't get back as they grow day by day.

Congratulations Sarah, Jack is beautiful! If you love how Sarah write be sure to check out her blog here>

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https://www.naturalbirthingcompany.com/blogs/news/its-the-season-to-be-jolly-5-christmas-presents-to-get-your-mum-to-be2018-12-03T00:00:00+00:002018-12-03T00:00:00+00:00It's the season to be jolly - 5 Christmas presents to get your Mum-to-beNatural Birthing Co
With Christmas just around the corner, it’s time to think of presents! But what do you get a mum to be? When it comes to buying gifts it all seems to be about the baby with the mummy-to-be often getting overlooked. With everything that a pregnant woman goes through during her nine months, never mind the birth, wouldn’t it be nice to treat that gorgeous Mama to an amazing Christmas pressie to show you care!

Here are our top five gifts for that yummy mama:

1. Babymoon:

If you are looking to spoil that Mum-to-be of yours why not treat her to a babymoon, the perfect gift to get some well-earned rest before the little one comes along!

2. Pregnancy t-shirt:

If you are looking for the perfect stocking filler that will leave your mum-to-be giggling why not treat her to one of these cute slogan t-shirts which will leave her snapping lots of photos!

This is a great gift for the Mum and Baby! The Mexican Bola jewellery was traditionally worn by expectant mothers during pregnancy our chime pendants are worn low, resting against the bump so that any movement means baby hears the gentle ringing sounds. Once born the same chimes will be a reassuring and familiar sound to baby, reminding them of the security of the womb. A simple idea really which goes back hundreds of years, but one that’s still cherished by mothers today.

This beautiful Journal is ideal for any Mama who has just announced their pregnancy! Bump to Birthday is an award-winning pregnancy and first-year journal/diary to help hold onto memories of the growing bump, the birth and the first year with the baby.

This beautiful gift set contains all of the essentials you will need for pregnancy, birth, and life as a new mum. All four of our full-sized products together with 2 luxurious organic cotton flannels are presented in a beautiful gift box making this the perfect present for any mummy to be.

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https://www.naturalbirthingcompany.com/blogs/news/from-the-outside-looking-in-it-s-hard-to-understand-coping-with-pregnancy-with-hidden-illnesses-by-holly-bluck2018-11-19T00:00:00+00:002018-11-19T00:00:00+00:00From the outside looking in, it’s hard to understand. - Coping with pregnancy with hidden illnesses by Holly BluckNatural Birthing Co
Like many women, I knew from a young age that one day I wanted to be a mummy. Whilst it was never spoken about I had always suspected I would be unfortunate to find pregnancy very difficult if it was at all a possibility for me due to being born with a rare heart condition and undergoing heart surgery, this along with a back condition (scoliosis), and a recent diagnosis of acute supraventricular tachycardia. Whilst rarely spoken about, I knew that my family too had anxieties around me becoming pregnant and the challenges I would face should I decide to have children of my own one day. Now unless you know me well, you probably would not notice these conditions as like many illnesses they are somewhat hidden, and with little awareness and understanding around them, many do not understand how challenging it can be to live with these daily.

Despite this, and just before completing my social work degree, I found out I was expecting my first child unexpectedly. By this I mean, I was experiencing unexplained bleeding throughout the month, with the existence of bleeding I did not consider that I could have fallen pregnant. The only symptom I had been experiencing was extremely tender breasts, whilst some tenderness had always been ‘normal’ for me, this was extreme. The week before my final piece of my university work was due, I remember speaking to my partner and explaining how unusual it was, and then I started to wonder. He suggested I did a pregnancy test and straight away the results returned positive instantly.

Whilst this should have been one of the most exciting moments for me, I was filled with confusion, anxiety and stress and sat crying for hours with my friend (who was also expecting her first child). I was fortunate that my partner took the news very well and was very supportive from the get-go. However, I immediately started to become overwhelmed with fear as I had been bleeding on and off for the month so assumed something was wrong with the baby, on top of this I had my medical conditions to contend with and ‘how’ or even ‘if’ my body would cope. I was also worried about how my family would feel to the news knowing my health was up against it.

For this reason, my partner and I decided that we would not inform any of our family of friends until we had discussed with all the relevant health professionals and were past the first three months. This was particularly difficult as we were living with my partner's parents at the time. We contacted all the health professionals we needed to and I was told by my heart consultant that my pregnancy would be considered ‘high risk’ that I would need to take a daily dose of aspirin to reduce the risk of developing pre-eclampsia and need to be under the care of John Radcliffe hospital in Oxford who specialise in my condition and how this can affect myself or my baby. In addition to this, I was told there would be a risk of me passing my heart condition on to my baby, something I had never been informed of before. I felt incredibly guilty that I could pass my condition that has somewhat controlled my life to my baby. I also battled with feelings of uselessness that my body wasn’t good enough to cope and that I was putting a baby under stress who simply didn’t deserve it.

Due to the bleeding, I had experienced as mentioned earlier in the blog, I was offered an emergency scan to rule out the possibility of an ectopic pregnancy or a missed miscarriage. Due to being so early they were only able to detect the very beginning of the pregnancy and considered my pregnancy to be a ‘threatened miscarriage’ due to the bleeding I had been having. Over the course of the next few weeks, I had visited the emergency gynea clinic 4-5 times for repeat scans due to random bleeding I had experienced. When I am talking bleeding I am not referring to spotting or a light period, I am talking heavy clotting that had gone through underwear, clothing and bedding. During this time, I was also sent a letter from the hospital stating I had symptoms of cervical cancer and that I was placed on a two-week waiting list to be seen by a specialist due to unexplained bleeding I had. By this point I was completely beside myself, I had still not told any of my family I was expecting and I had sat with my mum and dad and shown them the letter, they tried to reassure me that if my issues were anything sinister they could treat it quickly. It was at this point I cracked and blurted out whilst crying that it was not that simple as I was expecting. Not exactly the way I intended to share my news with them!

Nonetheless, my parents took the news well but I could see the worry in their eyes, my mum started to consider her options of taking time off work should I be ill and need her support. Of course, this new scare was all on top of my existing conditions that had now taken a back seat to the new worries I was now facing. Having done the one thing everyone tells you not to ‘googling symptoms’ I was convinced I would end up losing our baby and I struggled week by week expecting the worst to happen. We paid for private scans to try and put my mind at ease but would make myself feel physically sick with anxiety and worry each time expecting them to tell me there was something wrong. I felt saddened that I could not enjoy what should have been special moments. I continued to bleed until I was 21 weeks pregnant with each new ‘rush of blood’ resulting in another scan for them to ensure my pregnancy was still viable. Each time they were unable to find or provide an explanation for the bleeding but could only reassure me that my baby appeared to be developing well. I was told over and over again by family members and friends to be more ‘positive’ to ‘lighten up’ or to stop overthinking. Two of my so-called best friends even fell out with me for being ‘draining’ and for always having something wrong with me. I struggled at times to get motivated, to get out of bed and live daily life, I felt alone and like a bad person for not ‘handling’ things like everyone expected me to. I even had moments of doubts of whether I should have continued with my pregnancy (although I am so very glad now that I did).

At 21 weeks, I bled badly again and was asked to go straight in to be scanned, it was then that the sonographer identified a bleed outside my pregnancy. They explained this as a graze outside the womb that did not affect the pregnancy and that this may or may not heal. It was then the scare for cervical cancer was alleviated and I could then concentrate on my pregnancy and other hurdles I was yet to face. This happened to be the last time I bled to date and thankfully our baby seems to be doing well.

Unfortunately, with my partner being self-employed I have had to attend the majority of appointments alone or with friends which at times has been gruelling and frustrating. I have and continue to have several appointments in Oxford with a number of consultants, including fetal echo’s to check my baby’s heart however been told they cannot confirm if my baby will inherit my condition until after birth. This is on top of seeing a consultant in my hometown in case I was to spontaneously go into labour and not be able to reach Oxford. I also have a midwife in my hometown and specialist midwives in Oxford. In total, I have on average 10 appointments per month which are likely to increase towards the end of the pregnancy. I have also been advised that I need to deliver my baby in Oxford (should I manage to travel there in time being over an hour and half away), and until 28 weeks was told this would be by C-section, however, the professionals have now decided it is less risky for me to attempt natural birth eekkkk!!! I was no way prepared for that!! I am still waiting for an anaesthetist to consider what, if any pain relief I can have (due to my heart and back condition) and if I was to need an emergency C-section how this would be performed, as there are concerns they will be unable to administer any pain relief of spinal’s in my back due to my scoliosis. However, at nearly 32 weeks pregnant and my track record for bad luck I am getting anxious about not having a plan in place yet! These extra appointments can be an absolute pain, and some days I have spent 8 hours in Oxford being seen by different people. Sometimes I have felt frustrated and fed up with professionals and the amount of appointments and time this takes up, but ultimately I cannot thank the NHS enough so far for their support and their hard work in keeping a close eye on us and in planning delivery to ensure my baby and I are safe.

Despite all the challenges I have been faced with, I have begun to have an easier ride with my pregnancy (better late than never I suppose). I still suffer from aches and pains daily and difficulty moving, I have also developed sciatica and at times been completely immobile, I get heartburn every day that bad that I wake up choking on my own stomach acid (yeah gross I know). I get pain in my ribs like I am being torn apart, but in comparison to the other issues I have been faced with earlier on, it is manageable. So hold on in there, if you have experienced anything like me I hope it eases for you soon too!

As you can see my pregnancy so far has been challenging, to say the least, it has put me and my partner through our paces. Whilst I still very much consider myself extremely lucky to be pregnant and for my baby to be developing well, I have had times where I have felt negative and expected the worst. I have at times struggled to smile or to laugh like the ‘normal’ Holly would have and I have lost people I had considered to be close and true friends, people that have judged me for not being overjoyed with being pregnant or finding it difficult to see any positives in my circumstances.

Throughout my experience so far it has become extremely obvious to me that for those looking in from the outside, who have not experienced difficulties like mine or similar or cannot see it due to being somewhat ‘invisible’, it is difficult for them to understand. This can make you feel completely alone, and I write this blog to raise awareness that we are not all fortunate to have a Rosie and plain sailing pregnancy and this can lead you to feel deflated and utterly fed up. With society being so focused on the woman who are so devastatingly unable to have children or to lose their children during or soon after pregnancy it seems to have become a taboo for women to express their unhappiness or difficulties in their pregnancies for fear of being tarnished ‘ungrateful’ for the opportunity you have been given which so many wish for. This, however, does not make you less or a ‘bad’ person for not enjoying every second of your pregnancy (like so many expect you to), it does not mean that when your baby is born you will not be a good mother. It does not mean that you are not good enough. Pregnancy is one of the most challenging, life-changing and scary experiences, on top of all those lovely hormones to contend with so if you have additional challenges like me, please know you are not alone and it is ‘OK’ not to be ‘OK’ sometimes.

If you having a rough time, I hope things ease up for you and wish you and your baby all the best.

These little pots of gold are slowly becoming my best friend throughout this pregnancy! We very kindly got sent some goodies from the Natural Birthing Company to help out during pregnancy and a ‘Birthing essentials kit’ to help get me through labour!

All their products are 100% natural, vegan and developed by midwives, which gives you peace of mind you’re not putting any nasties on your body whilst pregnant and are completely safe for you and baby which I think is fab!

I’m now 34 weeks pregnant and honestly I’m slowly turning into Shamoo himselfI’ve obviously still got stretch marks from Carter, but up until recently, I didn’t have any new ones appearing from this pregnancy luckily! UNTIL.. that dreaded moment last week where I saw a NEW little purple wiggly line developing! Urgh! Luckily I’d received this lovely package just a few days prior to seeing it but not tried the products out yet so the first thing I did was whack out the good old ‘Bump Envy’ and started smothering it on! And I kid you not... that little red line had gone the next day! Some kind of magic in a bottle I swear! I only wish I’d known about this magic potion when I was pregnant with Carter!

It’s really getting to the point now where I feel like the baby is ready to rip his way through my stomach at any moment, everything is so tight and my skin has really started to get itchy on my stomach but ‘bump envy’ is really helping to sooth the itch and make it all feel softer and more comfortable for me! Anything to feel more comfortable in pregnancy right?!

The second item I got to help prepare me for labour is called ‘Down Below’

Now.. I’m not going to go into too much detail on how I’m using this onebut I’m hoping it helps my big headed (yeah off the scale big according to my last scan) baby come out without tearing my insides outThey recommend use from 34 weeks to help reduce the risk of episiotomy and tearing, so I received it just in time and I’m praying it helps!

I also got sent this gorgeous little bag which is their ‘Birthing Essentials Kit’ which I’ll be packing in my hospital bag ready for labour!

Included in this kit is:

Relax & Breathe

Bottoms Up

Cool It Mama

Sleepy Mama

Such a gorgeous little kit and I’m excited to try them all out during my labour!

I think anything that can help, even a tiny bit during pregnancy and labour is always a great investment as it’s nice to feel prepared and like you’re in control (even though let’s face it, we all know we’re not)

The Natural Birthing company products are available in Boots stores and online so are super easy to get your hands on and a lovely extra for your hospital bag and a must have during pregnancy! You can also check them out on Instagram!

In Celebration to World Vegan Day, it was only fit that we touched on a Vegan Diet. If you are a fellow Vegan don't think just because you're pregnant you can't continue, keep reading to see all the items that you need to include in your diet to stay healthy and strong for you and bump...

New figures just released tell us that Veganism has risen by 700% in the last two years so I figured that there must be more Mamas-to-be who are choosing a plant-based diet and as a Vegan myself I wanted to write a blog to support you being a Vegan Mama.

Whether you are vegan or not it’s important to eat a balanced healthy diet in pregnancy and as you will be aware a balanced vegan diet can meet all of your normal nutritional needs and this can continue into pregnancy and breastfeeding. However, if you are struggling to eat normally due to nausea and vomiting you may want to consider some supplementation to support you and your baby; although supplements should not replace a healthy diet filled with whole plant foods.

Let’s look at the additional nutritional needs of pregnancy and how you can meet them through a vegan diet.

Folic Acid

All women are advised to take a 400mcg supplement of folic acid if you’re trying to conceive and in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy to help reduce the risks of neurological disorders and birth defects such as spina bifida. The good news is that by eating a well-balanced plant-based diet you will generally have a high folate level anyway but it is still advised to take a supplement to be on the safe side. There are vegan folic acid options here.

Excellent dietary sources of folic acid include:

* Wheatgerm

* Spinach

* Chickpeas

* Kale

* Broccoli

* Asparagus

Bear in mind though that folic acid is sensitive to heat (40-70% can be lost through cooking) so it’s best to eat raw vegetables where you can – maybe add them to a smoothie.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 deficiency is another worry that non-vegans seem to have about the vegan lifestyle. Whilst there are few plant sources that naturally contain B12, there are now several fortified options such as plant-based milk, bread etc. Your body can store B12 for a long time (5-20 year) so it is quite difficult to become deficient; however, a lack of B12 can also lead to a folic acid deficiency and taking folic acid supplements can mask the symptoms of B12 deficiency so they are clearly interlinked. So you might want to consider a supplement, in fact, you can get a combined folic acid and B12 supplement.

Good plant sources of B12 include:

* Fortified milk, cereals, breads etc

* Tempah

* Miso

* Alfalfa sprouts

* Bean sprouts

* Peanuts

* Peas

* Nutritional yeast

Vitamin D

There is a recommendation for all pregnant women to take 10 mcg Vitamin D throughout pregnancy to help with the formation of the baby’s bones and tissues. Some plant-based milk has Vitamin D added to them, and you can grab some sunshine to also help (if we ever see it!). But other than that we do struggle a bit as vegans but the good news is that there are a growing number of vegan Vitamin D options on the market. (A regular vitamin D (D3) is generally made from sheep’s wool so look for either D3 made from lichen or a D2 supplement)

Calcium

How many times as a vegan do we get asked: “But what do you do for calcium?” There is this myth that cow’s milk is the best thing for calcium but the truth is that whilst it does contain a lot of calcium, the human body cannot easily absorb it due to the animal proteins also present in milk, which end up leeching calcium from our bodies instead.

Extra calcium is needed in pregnancy due to the development of the baby’s bones and teeth, the baby will get everything they need from your body, so if you don’t eat enough you could be at an increased risk of osteoporosis. If you are eating a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and beans, and you exercise, you are unlikely to be deficient.

Great dietary sources of calcium are:

* Broccoli

* Dark leafy greens (Kale, chard, bok choy)

* Fortified unsweetened plant-based milks

* Fortified bread

* Spinach

* Soybeans

* Tofu (calcium set)

* Almonds & brazil nuts

* Sesame seeds/tahini

Iron

Your body uses iron to make extra blood for you and your baby in pregnancy so it’s important to increase your intake of this nutrient to prevent anaemia and tiredness. There are lots of plant-based options for sources of iron:

* Lentils

* Chickpeas

* Beans

* Tofu

* Cashew nuts

* Chia seeds

* Kale

* Dried apricots

* Quinoa

* Fortified breakfast cereals

Increasing the vitamin C content of your meals helps your body to absorb iron so try to include the following in the same meal as your iron sources:

* Peppers

* Broccoli

* Cabbage

* Kiwifruit

* Oranges or orange juice

* Strawberries

* Pineapple

It’s also good to know that drinking tea or coffee with your food will make it more difficult for your body to absorb the iron so try to avoid these drinks close to mealtimes.

Iodine

Iodine is essential to the development of your baby’s brain and nervous system as well as playing an important role in regulating your thyroid gland. Many iodine sources are animal-based however there are still some options for vegans although the iodine content of plant foods is variable and generally low and although Sea vegetables contain a lot of iodine, then the content is again variable with some types containing too much. The recommended daily allowance of iodine nearly doubles in pregnancy so if you feel that you may be lacking this trace mineral it may be worth looking at a supplement as the most reliable option.

Sources of iodine:

* Sea vegetables eg Kelp

* Cranberries

* Haricot beans

* Strawberries

* Potatoes

Omega 3 fats

Omega 3 is needed for your baby’s brain, nerves and eyes and although non-vegans will look to oily fish for their supply, there are vegan options readily available without having the mercury content to worry about.

Plant-based sources of Omega 3 are:

* Chia seeds

* Ground linseed

* Hemp seeds

* Walnuts

It’s worth noting that too much omega 6 fat can affect the absorption of omega 3 so it’s best to reduce the use of sunflower, corn or sesame oils as these are high in omega 6 and use vegetable (rapeseed) oil instead. Also, watch the serving sizes of seeds such as pumpkin and sunflower seeds because these are also high in omega 6. There is a recommendation from some experts that pregnant vegans take a supplement containing just omega 3 from microalgae instead of doubling their intake of omega 6 – a daily dose of 300milligrams has been suggested.

If you eat a healthy balanced vegan diet then pregnancy nutrition can actually be seen as being easier; unlike non-vegans, you will not be faced with a long list of foods to avoid!

Be mindful to check that any supplements you chose to take are suitable for use in pregnancy (regular multivitamins aren’t due to the high levels of Vitamin A) as well as being vegan-friendly.

The Vegan Society produces a great guide to vegan nutrition for pregnancy and breastfeeding, check it out here. Thanks for reading and don’t forget that all of the products are registered with the Vegan society.

Jane – The Midwife x

For more blogs on pregnancy, birth and life as a new mum please visit www.naturalbirthingcompany.com/blogs/news

During your pregnancy factors may come into play that results in you requiring different dietary advice – in these circumstances, you should seek direct advice from you own Midwife/Doctor according to your situation.

If you are unsure about anything or have any concerns whilst pregnant please speak to your Midwife.

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https://www.naturalbirthingcompany.com/blogs/news/a-night-in-with-bump-by-faye-jones-glossytots2018-10-30T00:00:00+00:002018-10-30T00:00:00+00:00A Night in with Bump! By Faye Jones (Glossytots)Natural Birthing Co
It's 'National Spa Week' Mamas! So, it is the perfect time to take some time to yourself and enjoy those relaxing moments! Our Mama Ambassador Faye has taken this advice and with our products created the perfect spa-like evening!

Have a read...

Sometimes during pregnancy nights out and having a busy social life is not what you need every day. At some points, you just need relax.

With a 6-year-old relaxing can be tricky. I’m very lucky that she’s a great sleeper and goes to bed at 7 pm. Which normally means once all my jobs are done I can wind down and relax.

Here are my tips for a perfect night of relaxation when pregnant:

Take a bath- if your partner is feeling romantic get them to run it for you- they always do a better job when it’s for someone else.

Once out of the bath take advantage of your partner's good nature as ask them to give you a massage- The lovely products from The Natural Birthing Company have been a favourite of mine. I ask Matt to give my feet a rub with the 'Relax and Breathe' Calming Massage oil- it’s gorgeous and safe throughout pregnancy. If you don’t have a partner to hand give yourself a little TLC.

Give baby a massage and moisturise that bump at the same time. To stop unwanted itchy tummies and stretch marks have some one on one time with your bump. Massage the Natural Birthing Company “Bump Oil” in circular motions. Babies can feel touch and noise at 25 weeks so will get a kick out of this as much as you.

Before you snuggle down with your favourite tv Program find your most snuggly blanket. This will help you unwind.

Pick your yummiest food or craving and drink- pretty self-explanatory even indulge if you so wish! Pregnancy isn’t all about fearing the weight gain.

Lastly to get a great night’s sleep to spray some of the Natural Birthing Company’s 'Sleepy Mama' on your pillow to indulge in a restful sleep.

You can buy all of the amazing Natural Birthing Company items from Boots, Holland and Barratt and many online Stores.

If you like how Faye writes be sure to check out her blog Glossytots > Here!

We know your busy schedule might leave yours or your little ones costume at the back of your mind. But, we have had a look across the spooky corners of the internet to pull together our top five bump and baby costumes. Take a look and let us know which your favourite is!

Goose-bumps

1. Pumpkin bump – with baby feet prints.

2. Baba wants to trick or treat

3. Alien

4. Unicorn baby

5. Skeletons

Pumpkin Patch Kids

1. Dobby, for all you Harry Potter fans this needs to be done!

2. Babies first Christmas, small enough to fit into a pumpkin.

3. Jack Skellington

4. Kitten

5. IT, when cute becomes creepy!

Have a spooky week Mamas!

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https://www.naturalbirthingcompany.com/blogs/news/8-tips-to-holistically-aid-your-fertility-treatment-by-lauren-vaknine2018-10-16T09:00:00+01:002018-10-16T09:00:00+01:008 Tips To Holistically Aid Your Fertility Treatment - by Lauren VaknineNatural Birthing Co
IVF is a gruelling process. It is impossible to grasp just how gruelling it actually is unless you have been through it. Physically, emotionally, financially; it drains you. The good news, however, is that there are plenty of ways we can be proactive in helping our bodies through the process. Firstly, to cope with the side-effects of treatment, and secondly, to assist in a successful outcome.

My body reacted so badly to our first cycle that I couldn’t walk by the second week because my ovaries were so large and painful, and I ended up in the hospital for 5 days with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). The embryos had to be frozen until I was back to full health and when I was finally well enough months later, none of the embryos survived the thaw so we had to go through the whole process again. I felt broken, in every sense of the word, and I knew I’d have to learn all I could about the process and about why my body reacted the way it did. My remission from juvenile rheumatoid arthritis only came about thanks to years of research and a dogged determination to beat it without drugs, and what that research essentially all came down to was that the body really does not like toxins very much. A body with common genetic polymorphisms such as MTHFR or DHPR (which affect around 50% of the population – read my article about thishere), finds it even harder to eliminate these toxins (which could in itself be one of the contributing factors to rising infertility levels, but I’ll save that for another article).

The thing is, for someone like me whodoeshave MTHFRandan underlying autoimmune disease, pumping my body full of synthetic hormones went against everything I knew was right for me. But due to low sperm count and motility, we were literally left with no other choice if we wanted to have biological children. So the only way around it was to ensure that I not only aided my body holistically prior to, and through the treatment, but that I cleansed my body of the toxins once I’d finished breastfeeding – absolutely crucial in avoiding cancers linked with fertility treatments.

None of us – especially those of us trying to live more holistic lifestyles – want to succumb to the chemical burden of IVF, but for those of us who have no choice, I truly believe that the below tips will encourage the body to create healthier embryos, healthier pregnancies and in turn, hopefully, healthier babies.

Tip #1 – Prepare Your Body

When we are pregnant, most of us nest. We don’t wait until the day the baby comes home to begin these preparations, we ensure the home is as clean and comfortable for the baby as it can possibly be, and most of us allow plenty of time for this. So it makes sense to do the same for our bodies before embarking upon fertility treatment. Your body is going to be subjected to an onslaught of synthetic hormones, which most bodies do not particularly take kindly to, therefore preparing the body not just for this, but also as a future incubator for the embryos that will hopefully be put in there, is essential. This can be done through diet and lifestyle. Eliminating processed and refined foods such as sugar, gluten and homogenised dairy, as well as ready meals, caffeine and alcohol is the first step, followed by switching to organic. Enough chemicals will be entering your body from the stimulating hormones; reducing toxicity wherever possible through food will help keep the body’s toxicity levels lower. A body that is healthy, clean and prepared beforehand has a much better chance of a successful outcome. Taking the right prenatals, using only methylfolate and never the synthetic folic acid prescribed by doctors, is essential. I recommendSeeking Health Optimal Prenatal, formulated by Dr Ben Lynch, ofmthfr.net.

Tip #2 – Go Into Treatment With A Clear Mind

When we find out we have to have IVF, most of us want to rush into it on our next cycle; perhaps we are desperate to have children, or perhaps it’s just the simplest way for our minds to deal with the burden. Either way, being in a good place emotionally (as well as physically) could not be more important. If there is anything bothering you, deal with this first; resolve anything that needs resolving emotionally and fix anything that can be fixed. This process will be challenging, so your mind needs to have as few other distracting thoughts as possible. Trying to arrange some time off work if this is possible, will also be beneficial, as rest is crucial.

Tip #3 – Nourish Your Mind with Positivity

Surround yourself with positive people and positive thoughts. If there are people in your life who tend to bring your mood down, take a step away from them for a little while. Do daily affirmations. Watch inspirational talks on YouTube such as The Secret, Oprah and other motivational speakers who promote positive thinking, and don’t get bogged down watching or listening to other people’s IVF stories. Focus on your story and how it will end: with a baby.

Tip #4 – Nourish Your Body with Food

An ayurvedic approach to conception is a great start. But if you’re not sure where to start with this, just keep hold of the word ‘nourish’. It invokes feelings of warming, healing foods – exactly what we need. Warm stews, casseroles and pies; vegetables lightly steamed to make them feel more nourishing than if they were completely raw; spices such as turmeric and cinnamon; warming herbals teas. Green juices, though cold, will help feed the cells in your body with vitamins and minerals essential for optimum health and cell regeneration. Treat yourself to hot chocolates made with raw cacao, almond milk and cardamom (trythis recipe); not only warming but full of bio-available magnesium and protein.

Tip #5 – Acupuncture

When used in conjunction with Western fertility treatments, acupuncture increases conception rates by 26%. A recent study from Tel Aviv University reports, “When combining IUI with TCM treatments, 65.5% of the test group were able to conceive, compared with 39.4% of the control group, who received no herbal or acupuncture therapy.” Acupuncture can increase fertility by reducing stress, increasing blood flow to the reproductive organs and balancing the endocrine system, according to several studies and medical research. I found acupuncture to be invaluable. I recommend a treatment before you begin hormone stimulation, two treatments during stimulation, and a treatment on the day of, or if not possible, the day before, your embryo transfer.

Tip #6 – Meditation and Visualisation

Try and begin a meditation schedule before you start treatment so that it’s firmly built into your routine. There are guided meditations on YouTube, as well as apps like Headspace if you’re new to meditation. Following these will take the pressure out of feeling the need to “switch off” if you find it a challenge. Set aside 10-20 minutes once or twice a day, as part of your necessary routine, and do this throughout the treatment and beyond. MRI scans show that after an eight-week course of mindfulness practice, the brain’s “fight or flight” centre, the amygdala, appears to shrink. This primal region of the brain, associated with fear and emotion, is involved in the initiation of the body’s response to stress. Retraining our brains when it comes to how we process stress will greatly impact success rates, as cortisol levels will affect the outcome.

Tip #7 – Maya Abdominal Massage & Vaginal Steams

Maya abdominal fertility massage applications move congested lymph fluid, oxygenate blood, increase immune function and maintain proper nerve flow in pelvic organs. Many women put their fertility treatment success (in fact, many put their eventualnaturalpregnancies), down to this Westernised approach of an ancient Mayan technique. Using specialised vaginal steam herbs before, and sometimes during treatment is said to cleanse, heal and nurture the female reproductive system; just another way that Mother Nature is able to offer us a helping hand during this journey. There are many practitioners scattered around the country.

Tip #8 – Keep Feet & Womb Warm

Once you have had your embryo transfer, treat your body as the sacred, human incubator that it is. Of course, there are many contributing factors, but assuming your embryos are of good quality and you have prepared your body and mind well, you have done all you can at this point to aid the process. Encouraging your body to accept the embryos is all you can now do. In ancient Chinese culture, it is believed that in order to ensure successful conception, the feet and womb must be kept warm. Keep thick socks on your feet when possible (unless you live in a hot country; all of my cycles happened to be in the dead of British winter!), enjoy warming foot baths in the evening, perhaps even with a little Epsom salt sprinkled in, and keep a hot water bottle close (but not too close) to your tummy. Rub your tummy gently, embracing your embryo/s and encouraging blood flow.

I learnt a lot through my first cycles. Even after having my son, there are things I knew I’d do differently next time, which I did, leading (with gratitude) to a second healthy pregnancy. I hope the things that helped me (and many others) will help you, too, and will give you the encouragement to know that the outcome is not totally out of your hands and that there is plenty you can do to help this process yourself.

Awaiting the birth of a new little darling is an exciting experience, and for some of us, resisting shopping for anticipated arrivals is a temptation too hard to bear! Whether it’s your own eagerly awaited addition or that of a family member or friend - you want to know that any new-born baby gifts are soft, safe, comfortable and gorgeous!

Boots mini club’s Tiny Treasures collection is a unisex range, created specifically for newborns, with their delicate skin in mind. The 100% cotton pieces will keep your little ones protected and looking adorable from the moment they first arrive into the world.

The penguin themed range full of adorable gifts, like all in ones, bodysuits and sets, as well as beautiful accessories to wrap your precious additions in for those magical moments, as they open their eyes and squeeze your finger for the very first time.

This super cute collection is available in 436 stores across the UK and Republic of Ireland, ranging from early baby (up to 5lbs) to 9 months!

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https://www.naturalbirthingcompany.com/blogs/news/its-cake-time-mamas-national-baking-week2018-10-15T00:00:00+01:002018-10-15T00:00:00+01:00It's cake time Mamas! - National Baking WeekNatural Birthing Co
It’s ‘National Baking Week’ Mamas! So, it is time get that apron on, bowls out and starts making some cake!

Hello, I’m back! When I first blogged over here, I was sharing the story of my journey to become mum first time around, and how we found out we were expecting our second baby, due in early December. My first trimester was full of anticipation, nerves and some anxiety, I have to be honest, as having experienced a miscarriage last year, we were far more cautious this time around. We had extra, private scans early on to be sure everything was going ok and it was nice to finally reveal to everyone our happy news when all the signs looked positive.

So, how has the second trimester been? Well, I do have to say I feel like I have been pregnant a LONG time, but that isn’t in a bad way - I really do enjoy having a bump and, touch wood, everything is going well and I am feeling good. In fact, during the course of my second trimester, my overall health and well-being seems to have improved a lot; my skin has been really clear, my hair seems to be growing and thickening and I do feel good in myself. I had one or two days around 24 weeks where I suddenly felt quite sad, for no apparent reason, but it didn’t develop into anything and I talked to my husband about how I was feeling, so I’m putting it down to pregnancy hormones.

Scans and appointments

There hasn’t been a great deal to share from a medical perspective as being a second-time mum, currently classified as low risk, I’ve barely had any midwife or other appointments. I had a 16 week appointment when I actually met my midwife for the first time, and a second then at 28 weeks, when I found my midwife was someone new. In between, there was just the 20 week scan and the whooping cough vaccination to have (which was no way as bad as I thought it was the first time around, and luckily I only had some dull aches in my arm for a couple of days, nothing more).

Of course we were so excited to have the 20 week scan - nervous again but as I had started to feel some flutters and pops in my tummy from about 17 weeks (I wasn’t sure, but by 18 weeks I knew that it was baby wriggling as they were becoming more pronounced and regular) I was filled with a lot more positivity. We then saw baby and I was just so happy! They were being a little monkey too, as they were facing upside down. The sonographer managed to take a lot of the readings and measurements but even with me drinking water and walking up and down stairs for 20 minutes, and squatting, we couldn’t convince them to do more than turn on their side. This meant a measurement on the heart and a good look at the lips wasn’t possible, so we made an appointment to come back. At 22 weeks, we got to see baby again and his time, we brought our five-year-old, Ethan with us. We’d

had some time to think about if we wanted to find out what baby was; I was so on the fence! We didn’t with Ethan and it was a wonderful surprise, so I wanted to have that again. Baby was being mischievous again, still pointing down and sideways but some more juggling coaxed them into a good enough spot for the scan to show everything was normal and progressing as it should. Phew!

The photos we have from the 20 and 22-week scans aren’t as clear as our 12 week one, because of baby’s position, so how they look is still quite a bit of a mystery to us.

Bump and me

I do love being pregnant, for the most part. I never feel as confident or proud of my body as I do when I have a bump, and it is a really special time. I started using my Natural Birthing Company oil every day to help with any stretch marks, but mainly to give bump a treat, and it does help especially as my skin is stretching as my bump grows to a pretty decent size! It’s true, you do seem to show quicker and become more around the second time around, but my midwife says that bump measures just as it should so that’s good to know.

Maternity clothes are a bit of a pain if I am honest. Sure, you can wear a lot of normal clothes, either in looser styles or larger sizes, so don’t have to buy an entirely new wardrobe, but when it comes to trousers and jeans, you do need to invest. Most maternity ranges are only available to buy online it seems, unless you have a larger store nearby, so it can be a bit of trial and error when ordering clothes to fit your changing shape. I think as I head into my third trimester, it may be leggings all the way…!

Towards the end of the second trimester, I have started to experience some heartburn, mainly at night, and a bit of hip pain. Nothing too severe, but something I am using heartburn tablets and pregnancy pillows when I sleep to help with. My appetite is good, and I am making a real effort to eat a good breakfast and to have snacks everywhere I go – especially in my car, as you never know when hungry will strike. And boy, does it!

Baby and me

I have really enjoyed this trimester, as my connection to baby has grown with the growth of my bump. I can recognise their patterns, look forward to spotting their ripples and kicks and was so excited when, at around 24 weeks, both hubby and my son could feel baby moving too.

We sorted through some of Ethan’s baby things to see what we could still use and what we would like to buy; glad that we did this, as we received some manufacturer advice on car seats and how ours, having been stored in the loft for five years, would now be deemed as unfit for use. I started doing my research into the confusing world of prams and travel systems again and managed to pick up a bargain over the Bank Holiday weekend on the range we wanted, so that was something substantial and fun to do in getting ready for our new arrival.

We don’t need to get a huge amount, but I think the start of the third trimester will be about getting the essentials in – clothes, bottles, bedding – and our bags packed early, just in case. I’m going to be packing Natural Birthing Company’s Cool It Mama as this was a lovely refreshing treat during the hotter weather in summer and this will be a nice pick me up I am sure during labour. I’ll also start using the Bottoms Up perineum oil from 24 weeks and the Relax and Breathe Calming Massage Oil sounds just divine, so will ask hubby if he can help as a relax as much as I can before the big day.

We will also start sorting our Christmas nice and early as, all being well and on time, our little bundle will be delivered at the start of December…

If you want to hear more from Kelly be sure to check out her amazing blog! > www.tobecomemum.co.uk

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https://www.naturalbirthingcompany.com/blogs/news/we-re-proud-to-be-a-vegan-brand2018-09-19T00:00:00+01:002018-09-19T00:00:00+01:00We’re proud to be a Vegan Brand!Natural Birthing Co

Did you know that our entire Brand is Vegan?! For those of you who are vegan or are concerned about animal cruelty then we’re proud to tell you that our entire brand is registered with the Vegan Society which allows us to display the well-established and respected “sunflower” Trademark which is an authentic, international vegan standard.

A dedicated and experienced team at the Vegan Society check every ingredient in each product to ensure it meets their strict criteria; as the original charity that coined the term “vegan” back in 1944, they are definitely the experts in this field.

It’s not easy to gain this Trademark but we do it because it’s the only way for you as the customer to be reassured that our products are truly vegan (and therefore also cruelty-free). And whilst a lot of Brands are now jumping on the bandwagon so to speak with the rise of veganism, we have been doing this since we launched back in 2014. It’s part of our Company ethos that we will continue to do this across our entire range, allowing you to safely choose any of our products knowing that they will be both cruelty-free and contain no animal ingredients.

If you are interested to learn more about the Vegan Society click here for more information.

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https://www.naturalbirthingcompany.com/blogs/news/is-it-safe-to-use-essential-oils-in-pregnancy2018-09-04T00:00:00+01:002018-09-04T10:12:54+01:00Is it safe to use essential oils in pregnancy?Natural Birthing Co

Aromatherapy is an amazing complementary therapy which can be used to relieve all manner of physical and emotional issues. However, the use of essential oils during pregnancy is a world where many fear to tread! If you Google which oils are safe to use in pregnancy you are faced with a minefield of conflicting information and most of it puts the fear of God into you!

Here are a few things to consider when looking at using essential oils during pregnancy:

There are a huge number of different essential oils available on the market and it’s very difficult to decide what to use and have the knowledge of which ones are truly safe.

In addition to this, with a few exceptions essential oils should never be applied directly to the skin in their neat form, they should always be diluted into carrier oil but you need to know the rate of dilution in order for them to be safe but effective at the same time.

Essential oils work perfectly when blended together to create different notes within an overall aroma and yet the different oils will all hold different proportions within the finished blend. So it can be very hard to get the levels of the individual oils correct so you end up with a nice smelling effective blend.

Buying a range of different essential oils isn’t cheap! Average prices range from £5-£14 per 10ml bottle – so imagine the cost of creating your own Bosom Buddies Breastfeeding oils using 10 different essential oils!

Mixing and blending essential oils takes time and energy, and whilst this might be fine prior to Mamahood, once your little one has arrived it’s all you can do to get dressed in the early days never mind start getting essential oils out!

So this is where we come in to take the confusion and fear out of using essentials oils in pregnancy. Our entire range at Natural Birthing Company uses essential oils that have been chosen by experts to ensure our products are completely safe to use during your pregnancy or when breastfeeding; so there’s no second-guessing, you know we’ve taken the hard work out of choosing safe effective essential oils and blending them in such a way as to create beautiful aromas that support you during your journey from bump to baby.

Click here to find out more about our award-winning range of natural products for pregnant women and new Mamas.

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https://www.naturalbirthingcompany.com/blogs/news/what-gift-can-i-buy-for-a-new-mum-baby-show-gift-ideas2018-08-21T00:00:00+01:002018-09-07T12:07:53+01:00What Gift Can I Buy For A New Mum?Natural Birthing CoYou’ve had that invite to a Baby Shower and can’t decide what gift to buy or maybe you’ve had a whip round for your colleague who’s just about to leave work on maternity leave and you have no clue as to what to get her! There are so many things to consider and baby clothing may look cute but mums always end up with way too much that might not be to their taste or the right size for little one.

When it comes to buying gifts it all seems to be about the baby with the mummy-to-be often getting overlooked. With everything that a pregnant woman goes through during her nine months, never mind the birth wouldn’t it be nice to treat that gorgeous Mama to something that’s perfect for that moment in her life; something to show that you’re thinking about her and showing her that you care.

Top three gift ideas for New Mums:

Pregnancy Massage

Buy her a voucher for a pregnancy massage – a lovely relaxing treat that could help relieve any aches or pains.

Pedicure

It is a physical impossibility for a pregnancy Mama to paint her own toenails so a voucher for a luxury pedicure might go down a treat.

Mama’s Moments Maternity Kit

This is our own award-winning gift-set that we’ve developed to support a Mama throughout the various stages of pregnancy, birth and life as a new mum. We use naturally derived aromatherapy and herbal based ingredients to support the various issues that women can face during the journey from bump to baby.The gift set can be used during pregnancy by preparing for birth with “Down Below – Perineal Massage Oil” whilst “Cool it Mama – Cooling Body Spritz” will revitalise body and mind throughout pregnancy and labour. Once “Mama-hood” has arrived “Pure Bliss” compress solution will soothe tender, swollen intimate areas after birth whilst “Bosom Buddies” support those looking to breastfeed. The gift-set is available from Boots, Holland & Barrett and Look Fantastic as well as Amazon.

So let’s treat that new Mama to show her how great she’s doing - Happy Shopping!

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https://www.naturalbirthingcompany.com/blogs/news/three-things-you-shouldn-t-be-packing-in-your-hospital-bag2018-08-14T00:00:00+01:002018-08-16T15:18:35+01:00Three Things You Shouldn’t Be Packing In Your Hospital Bag!!Natural Birthing CoYou may have noticed everyone is busy telling you what to pack in your hospital bag – myself included! And whilst I always encourage you to edit these lists according to your own situation there are certain items that I would say without question are not needed for your stay in the hospital. So I wanted to share with you the top three items that you won’t need to pack in your hospital bag.

Pain Relief

Please don’t take your own stash of Paracetamol or other pain relieving tablets (Co-codamol, Ibuprofen, Aspirin etc) into hospital as it can cause confusion when it comes to the staff giving you medication and can lead to you being overdosed! In the hospital, you will have your own drug card which records every medication that you have been given and at what time you had it. This is so the staff can see if the correct amount of time has elapsed between doses and if you have had your quota for a 24 hour period, so if you’re taking your own pills as well you can see how this can lead to an overdose. It can also cause issues if another patient helps themselves to your medication whilst you’re not by your bedside (yes some inpatients may not be as honest as you) or worse still if a visitors child goes exploring and finds them! (And yes some visitors bring small children who then wander off!) The Midwives do regular drug rounds and you can always ask for pain relief in between if you need it – (I admit the staff do get busy and may not be able to get to you immediately so it might be prudent to ask for pain relief before the discomfort gets too intense) but taking your own pain relief medication in your hospital bag is not the answer.

However, just a note to say that if you are on any other regular medication please take that to the hospital with you and hand it over to the staff. They will get the prescription added to your drug card, lock the medication away and give it to you when you need it on the drug rounds. The Maternity Unit at the Hospital won’t carry every drug known to man so if you forget to take it in, you may risk missing a dose as it can take a while for the ward to acquire the correct medication from the hospital pharmacy.

Hairdryers/Straighteners

So you’ve just had your baby and you want to shower and make yourself feel nice and human again, but going for a full wash and blow dry isn’t really on the cards (unless you’re Kate Middleton!). Firstly when you’ve just given birth you may feel a little wobbly on your feet and somewhat delicate, so a quick refresh in the shower is better than a longer time spent washing & conditioning your hair and tipping your head back can make you feel dizzy too! Secondly hospitals don’t allow anything electrical to be plugged into their sockets without PAT testing due to the fire risks (Don’t even think about asking for a PAT test – it just won’t happen!)I’ve been at work in the hospital when someone’s straighteners had been left on the side still switched on and it had triggered the fire alarm (which is massively loud!) so it does happen. Finally, think about the noise of hairdryers when every mum is on tenterhooks trying to get their baby to sleep! So when it comes to hairstyling in hospital think dry shampoo or bobbles!

Anything valuable!

The first thing that comes to mind here is your scan images; many women keep their baby scan images with the pregnancy notes, so when you hand over your notes as you arrive in labour you will also be handing over your pictures of baby too. You won’t get your pregnancy notes back once you have given birth so it’s important to keep those precious baby images at home.

Please also be aware of items of monetary value such as IPads, jewellery as well as cash and banks cards etc. The Hospital won’t accept any responsibility if anything is lost/stolen during your stay and unfortunately not everyone is honest in this life. (I’m not necessarily referring to fellow inpatients here;just remember that every new mum will be receiving countless visitors.) Unless you are provided with a lockable cabinet you will be leaving your belongings unattended every time you visit the bathroom or dining room. No one wants the stress of missing valuables so it’s best to leave them at home.

When it comes to mobile phones It’s worth making sure you have a pocket in a lightweight dressing gown or your PJs so you can easily take your phone with you wherever you go and as you may not be allowed to plug your charger in, it would be better to take one of those power pack things to charge it from. Phone chargers are the most common thing to be left behind by women when they leave the hospital – we used to have a large bag of chargers in the lost property!

If you are unsure about anything or have any concerns whilst pregnant please speak to your Midwife.

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https://www.naturalbirthingcompany.com/blogs/news/what-to-pack-in-your-hospital-bag-be-prepared-before-you-go-into-labour2018-08-07T00:00:00+01:002018-08-16T15:19:21+01:00What To Pack In Your Hospital Bag? Be Prepared Before You Go Into LabourNatural Birthing Co

You’re nearing your due date and everyone keeps asking if you have your bag packed – the traditional “hospital bag” reminds me of the bag that Mary Poppins had where she kept pulling an endless supply of things out – it seemed to contain everything bar the kitchen sink!

However life is not quite as magical as Mary Poppins & you or your other half will have to carry this hospital bag, not to mention the Midwife when she’s trying to push you in a wheelchair to the ward whilst juggling your medical notes too! So it’s better to pack light just for a brief stay and if you end up staying longer then family and friends can bring you extra bits as you need them.

Also, I know as a woman we don’t normally go anywhere without our handbag full of tricks but resist! You’re not only creating another bag to carry but the hospital can’t promise security of your purse and personal processions so it’s best to not take them.

There are so many hospital bag lists on the internet which all have different suggestions on them –how on earth can you decide what to take? The first consideration is to find out what your local hospital/birth centre provides and this varies widely.

Things to check with your local Midwife:

Birthing Ball

Aromatherapy

What facilities are there to play music?

Artificial milk & bottles if you are planning to formula feed baby

Blanket/sheets for baby

Nappies & cotton wool for cleaning baby

Sanitary towels

Bath towel for you

Also, think about what you are like as a person & what your own comfort needs are; avoid just following the list and tweak it to suit your own personal needs.

There is so much to think about with a hospital bag list and if this is your first baby it’s hard to know what you will and won’t need. It’s also worth considering that just because your friend didn’t find a use for an item doesn’t necessarily mean that you won’t want to take it in your hospital bag; after all, we’re all different and no two labours are the same either.

Finally, I think it helps to segment the list out into three parts to help you decide what to take in your hospital bag. I’m not suggesting three separate bags here – remember my first point about travelling light! If you have the one bag with different compartments or pockets it makes it easy to separate out baby’s items and your postnatal things so they are easy to find (it’s often the Midwife or your partner that have to rummage through your bags to find everything!)

Plastic bag for any dirty/wet clothing (unless you just want to ditch it!)

Small bath towel for you to shower after labour

Overnight toiletries – body wash, face wash, toothpaste & brush etc

1 pack of Maternity pads – (the soft thick ones are best)

Few pairs of big Bridget Jones style knickers (buy a cheap pack of 3) (helps to hold your pad in place & covers over your wound if you have a c-section) – avoid paper pants they’re just not comfy at all!

Nursing bra or comfortable non-wired supportive bra

Thin nightwear with easy access if breastfeeding – bear in mind you may have to walk to the bathroom in view of other women’s visitors so you might like to throw in a thin dressing gown.

Baby’s first set of clothes – put this into a separate easy to grab bag within your hospital bag – this should be 1 nappy, 1 x vest and 1 x babygrow – makes it easy for the Midwife or your partner to find.

Keep the following in the car so when you are ready to go home your partner can bring them in as he comes to fetch you. This saves you cluttering yourselves up with extra bits until you actually need them plus there is so little room around your bed area in hospitals a car seat would get in the way!

What you need when you are ready to go home after giving birth

Car seat

Cardigan/jacket & hat for baby

Blanket to cover baby once they are in the car seat

Loose/comfortable outfit for you to wear

Card & present for the staff – if you are that way inclined!

I hope that has given you some idea as to what to pack into your hospital bag, feel free to leave any other suggestions in the comments below.

Babies can make an appearance anywhere from 37 weeks and some decide to make an earlier appearance so it’s definitely worth getting your hospital bag packed by 36 weeks and earlier if you are expecting twins.

Thanks for reading

Jane – The Midwife x

For more blogs on pregnancy, birth and life as a new mum please visit www.naturalbirthingcompany.com/blogs/news

If you are unsure about anything or have any concerns whilst pregnant please speak to your Midwife.